The War in Virginia.
A force of the enemy's cavalry reached Gulney's Depot on Wednesday evening last, about six o'clock, and set fire to the empty buildings at that place, which were soon consumed. Everything of value had been previously removed. They were driven off shortly afterwards by a force of our cavalry that happened to be near by. The situation of the respective armies in that quarter, from what we can learn, appears to be unchanged, though a report prevailed late yesterday evening that Grant had extended his lines, with his left resting on Gulney's Depot. This would indicate that he intends to move down on a line with the Richmond had Fredericksburg Railroad, while at the same time he would be in striking distance of the Rappahannock river. Several gunboats are reported to have been seen in the Rappahannock, some distance below Port Royal, on Wednesday last.Persons who came down on the train from Milford Station, yesterday evening, state that we captured six pieces of artillery in the fight on Wednesday last, and that the attack was very feeble, and more easily repulsed than any made, and that the enemy fought with less spirit than they had done during any of the previous engagements for the past two weeks.
The following official dispatch was received at the War Department yesterday relative to the fight on Wednesday evening:
Spotsylvania C. H., May 18, 7 P. M.,
via Milford, 19th.
Hon. J. A. Seddon, Sec., of War: The enemy opened his batteries on a portion of Ewell's line and attempted an assault, but failed. He was easily repulsed. Subsequently he cannonaded a portion of Hill's lines, near Early. The casualties on our side are very few.
Butler's movements on the Southside does not appear to be very clear. It was asserted yesterday morning, with an air of truth, that he was embarking his troops at Bermuda Hundreds, and that a portion of them had already landed on the Peninsula or North side of James river. This report, however, lacks confirmation, and we are inclined to the opinion that he is lying quiescent under cover of his gunboats.
